5530

WELFARE AND INSTITUTIONS CODE
SECTION 5530




5530.  (a) County patients' rights advocates shall have access to
all clients and other recipients of mental health services in any
mental health facility, program, or service at all times as are
necessary to investigate or resolve specific complaints and in accord
with subdivision (b) of Section 5523. County patients' rights
advocates shall have access to mental health facilities, programs,
and services, and recipients of services therein during normal
working hours and visiting hours for other advocacy purposes.
Advocates may appeal any denial of access directly to the head of any
facility, the director of a county mental health program or the
State Department of Mental Health or may seek appropriate relief in
the courts. If a petition to a court sets forth prima facie evidence
for relief, a hearing on the merits of the petition shall be held
within two judicial days of the filing of the petition. The superior
court for the county in which the facility is located shall have
jurisdiction to review petitions filed pursuant to this chapter.
   (b) County patients' rights advocates shall have the right to
interview all persons providing the client with diagnostic or
treatment services.
   (c) Upon request, all mental health facilities shall, when
available, provide reasonable space for county patients' rights
advocates to interview clients in privacy and shall make appropriate
staff persons available for interview with the advocates in
connection with pending matters.
   (d) Individual patients shall have a right to privacy which shall
include the right to terminate any visit by persons who have access
pursuant to this chapter and the right to refuse to see any patient
advocate.
   (e) Notice of the availability of advocacy services and
information about patients' rights may be provided by county patients'
rights advocates by means of distribution of educational materials
and discussions in groups and with individual patients.